Anchor Bay, California in Mendocino County

Anchor Bay, California is located along scenic Highway 1 which is sometimes called Shoreline Highway in this neck of the California Coast. Located between the communities of Gualala and Point Arena, it enjoys beautiful coastal views from a location perched atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The unincorporated town is comprised of scattered homes, forested regions, a shopping mall and Fish Rock Cemetery located on the hill behind the shops. The population is under 200 and the elevation is 145 feet. There are not many chain hotel accommodationsin this far away region of California. The landscape is breath-taking but you'll need to drive to either Mendocino, Boonville or Bodega Bay, each just over an hour away and 40+ miles by car).

Albion, Mendocino County

Located between the towns of Elk and Mendocino, Albion is a small Mendocino County town that had its start in 1853 with one man, his house, and a saw mill. English sea captain William Richardson was the first inhabitant of the area and the first gentleman to operate a mill on the magnificent Redwood Coast.
Though the mill remained active for three-quarters of a century, the town expanded very little and still boasts only a handful of homes that overlook the Albion River, a small commercial fishing operation, several stores, and a post office. The town is also home to the last wooden bridge in operation along the Coast Highway, the Albion River Bridge, constructed from salvaged wood during World War II. Albion River Campground & Marina offers a unique camping and boating experience for both RV and tent campers.  Located south of Mendocino, California on the Albion Cove where the Albion River meets the Pacific Ocean, the campground is one of only two sites on the Mendocino Coast that provides both sheltered river moorage and ocean access.  The campground is an annual destination for abalone dive clubs, avid cod and salmon fishing groups, crab lovers, and kayak & canoe enthusiasts.

Berkeley Marina & Beach, Berkeley California

This beach is sandy with the occasional rock. It is also pretty clean. When you drive here, exit Route 80 at the University and get on West Frontage Road. Head south and stay on it until you reach the parking lot, the shore is a couple of minutes walk away and it is public access so there are no problems getting on it. There are no facilities here, but the main part of the city is only a few minutes’ drive away and has everything you’ll need. South Berkeley is a big student neighbourhood, and it is a pretty poor area financially but has a good choice of places to eat. Berkeley City centre is more upmarket and has a wider choice of hotels and entertainments.

Manresa State Beach, Watsonville California

Upon leaving the southern border of Santa Cruz, the view will turn suddenly to the Fertile Crescent, where the rich soil is used to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, these privately owned lands means little to no access to the miles of completely perfect beaches. Unless you want to sneak in through the farms, perhaps instead go to the Manresa State Beach

Manresa State Beach features a beautiful expanse of sea and sand, with surf fishing, surfing, and recreation.

Location - Directions
From Highway 1, south of Aptos, San Andreas Road heads southwest and continues for several miles to Manresa, the first beach access upon reaching the coast.

Seabright and Twin Lakes State Beaches, Santa Cruz California

Although this is a state park, there is no gate or entrance fee, which makes this one of the most popular state beaches. The coords listed are for the main pedestrian entrance at the foot of Seventh Avenue, near the east end of the beach. The beach runs along East Cliff drive to the Santa Cruz harbor, including what is popularly known as "Harbor beach" in front of the restaurants at the harbor.
Twin Lakes State Beach also includes Seabright State Beach, which has a separate name but not a separate status with the state park system. Seabright beach lies just west of the harbor, running as far as the San Lorenzo River.
Facilities include restrooms, (cold) showers, and foot rinse station. There are no picnic tables or barbecue grills but there are a dozen fire rings on the sand, and bonfires are allowed in the rings if you bring your own wood.

This state park also includes Schwann Lagoon, just inland of the beach, which is an interesting area for birdwatching.

Sunset State Beach, Santa Cruz California

The historic Van Laanan farm provides the backdrop for this large park at the south end of Santa Cruz County. Surrounded by fertile farmland, Sunset State Beach features a wooded campground, picnic area, group campground, and 200-foot high dunes (the largest in the country) built up in front of coastal bluff. The beach itself stretches down to where it meets the mouth of the Pajaro River, giving three miles of unobstructed and spectacular shoreline.

Visitors enjoy broad vistas of the Monterey Bay from two main overlooks. During the summer and autumn, it is possible to see large groups of bottle nosed dolphins. The beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, and ocean side picnic spots. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but are allowed in campsites, on leash at all times.


Sunset State Beach is a gorgeous, remote stretch of sand lying at the foot of bluffs and 200-foot-tall sand dunes that see toy airplane enthusiasts congregate every weekend. A wooded campground with hot water showers (that takes quarters) and picnic areas, Sunset is a popular gathering place for families and groups seeking a getaway that truly feels far from the madding crowd. From Santa Cruz, follow Highway 1 south toward Watsonville and take the San Andreas exit. Follow San Andreas Road several miles past Manresa State Beach and as it curves to parallel the sea and watch for signs

Seacliff State Beach & Pier, Aptos California

From Hwy 1 take the State Park Drive exit into the neighborhood of Aptos.

Only a few piers have truly unique features and this pier is one of them. The end of this wooden 500-foot-long pier connects to the old cement ship Palo Alto, a bad idea turned good. The ship was designed for the U.S. Navy in World War I but was not completed until the war was over. She sat at her dock in Oakland until 1929 when she made her only voyage -- to her present spot. The 435-foot-long ship was filled with water, a pier was built from the beach to the ship, and the ship was turned into a floating attraction (although she didn't really float). A cafe was constructed above deck, the main deck was turned into a dance floor, a heated swimming pool was added and carnival booths lined the back of the ship. Within several years, the company that owned the ship went bankrupt. Later, winter storms damaged the already paralyzed craft. Economically it was a bad idea for the company, but it has turned out to be a bonanza for anglers.

Panther Beach, Santa Cruz California

Tired of summer fog and gloom? Then perhaps you should visit picturesque Panther, some 10 miles north of Santa Cruz. By afternoon, it's often so sunny here that naturists erect umbrellas to keep their bare bodies from burning. Other popular activities include reading, picnicking, rock climbing, bird watching, swimming, exploring the shore, or -- a personal favorite -- simply giving in to "sand gravity" by doing nothing at all. You can even watch whales as they pass the shoreline, which has tall rock towers, natural arching bridges, and a wall of rocks with caves, on the south end. Bring good walking shoes for the trail to this small but gorgeous beach
Panther Beach is located between mileposts 26.86 and 26.4 on Highway 1, some 10.6 miles north of the junction of Highway 1 and 17 in Santa Cruz and 40.7 miles south of the intersection of Highways 1 and 92 in Half Moon Bay. Drive slowly so you can make a sharp right turn onto a small dirt road on the west side of the highway, which is difficult to see when approaching from the north. The road leads to a rutted parking area that lies on a ridge between the highway and some railroad tracks. From the north end of the lot, cross the tracks and, while watching for poison oak, follow the steep, sloping, somewhat crumbly path to the sand.

New Brighton State Beach, Capitola California

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New Brighton's half mile long beach is backed by bluffs forested with cypress and Monterey pine. Raccoons, deer and other animals inhabit this wooded upland as well as the park's grassy coastal terrace where the campground and picnic area are situated. Migrating monarch butterflies winter in the park's groves

New Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular and most visited state beaches in California. This 93-acre park along the beautiful coast of Santa Cruz offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. It is famous for its family-oriented campground which sits on the towering bluffs high above the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful, lush vegetation of towering pine trees, Monterey Cypress, oak, eucalyptus trees, and wild berry vines surround campers with a peaceful tranquility. Once the site of a Chinese fishing village, it now offers locals and visitors a haven from the hectic pace of city life.

Directions
The beach is in the town of Capitola, just south of Santa Cruz. Take the New Brighton/Park Avenue exit off Hwy 1, turn right at bottom of ramp, and left at 1st stop sign. Follow the road to park gate.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz California

Named after an arched rock formation jutting offshore, this beach features stunning views of the coastline and its animal inhabitants. At one time there were three of these "natural bridges," but erosion claimed one in the early 20th century and a storm wiped the second one out in 1980. An adjoining park offers visitors close-up looks at local plants and flowers, and from October to February thousands of Monarch butterflies roost in the eucalyptus trees of Monarch Grove. The tidepools and underwater reefs just north of the beach are considered so ecologically valuable that they were named a state marine reserve in September 2007. West Cliff Drive at Swift Street, Santa Cruz.

Natural Bridges State Beach is world-renowned for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies. Visitors can see thousands during the butterflies' peak season. The best time to see monarchs in the park is usually from mid-October to late January. (Dates the butterflies arrive and leave can vary widely from year to year. Call ahead to find out if the monarchs have arrived in mid-October, and to make sure they are still in the grove in late January.)

Lighthouse Point/Its Beach, Santa Cruz California

The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, perched on the cliff above Its Beach, tells all about how Hawaiians introduced the sport of surfing to Santa Cruz in the late 19th century, while just below at Steamer Lane, actual surfers demonstrate how far the sport has come in haoles' hands. On the other side of the museum is dog-friendly, and sometimes clothing-optional, Its Beach, which offers great sunset views in wintertime and a nice pooch play area at low tide. West Cliff Drive at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz

Cowell Beach/Main Beach, Santa Cruz California

 
Main Beach and Cowell Beach are located like bookends on either side of the Santa Cruz Municipal Pier, near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They're crowded in summer, but a nice place to play and take a break from running around.
If it makes any difference to you, this is how to tell which is which. If you're facing the pier and the ocean, Cowell Beach is on the right and Main Beach on the left.